We have come to a time where discernment is more important than ever in all of what we do daily.Too often we take the easy way out and let ourselves be spoon fed by the media and others, including some who profess to be great Christians. We then fail to take the time to seek out the truth.We live in a world of people believing “if it sounds good and makes me feel good it must be true.” Because of this we have allowed ourselves to fall into Satan’s snares that we have been warned of in the scriptures.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Therefore by their fruits you will know them."Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Matt 7:15-23 NKJV

"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Matt 24:23-24 NKJV

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

2 Cor 11:13-15 NKJV

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Titus 1:16 NKJV

We can protect ourselves!

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

NKJV Gal 1:6-9

·Don't Believe Anyone Who Ignores, Or Disagrees With, God's Word

Time and time again we are reminded to believe the Bible. We can be wrong however the bible can not be argued with. Humans can be, or go, wrong. God's Word will never fail you, because God will never fail you.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Luke 21:33 NKJV

·Test/Prove All Things

Never just take someone's word as "gospel," regardless of how educated or exalted they may be, or appear to be. True Christian servants are not offended if you check to see if what they say is correct, or question them if you find something that you think is wrong. In fact, they expect you to do so:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

1 John 4:1-3 NKJV

Test all things; hold fast what is good.

1 Thess 5:21 NKJV

·Know Your Bible

Familiarity with the Scriptures, all of the Scriptures, is a vital defense. Many, many Christian-professing people actually have not read through The Bible at least one time. We encourage everyone to read through your bible once each year.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Tim 2:15 NKJV

·Follow Christ, Obey God

God's true servants want you to obey God, not them. Follow them only if they follow Christ.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

1 Peter 2:21

NKJV

But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Cor 11:2-4 NKJV

·"Prophet" Doesn't Mean "Profit"

The apostle Paul, a man who actually wrote a large part of the New Testament, although having to accept occasion help because of his difficult circumstances, worked whenever he could, as a tent maker, at the same time of his ministry (Acts 18:3).

According to Paul, “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” (2 Cor 2:17 NKJV)

God's true servants are not interested in taking from you. They want to give to you, not worldly money that is quickly spent, but true wealth, the knowledge and understanding that will enable you to obtain the eternal spiritual riches that will last forever. God's true servants don't want your money. They want you to obey God.

We are warned to stay away from false prophets and teachers.

useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

NKJV1 Tim 6:5

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.